How to Relieve Tooth Pain from Sinus Pressure

How to Relieve Tooth Pain from Sinus Pressure

If you experience sinus pressure, you know how unbearable the pain can sometimes be. Sinus pressure is not just an inconvenience but can cause myriad problems, including pain when eating, loss of sleep and significant discomfort. As you may already know, both sinus infections and allergies can lead to sinus pressure. Both of these can cause toothaches. Is it normal for your sinuses to make your teeth hurt? Let our Molson Park family dentist in Barrie explain.

What are Sinus Cavities?

To differentiate between toothache from sinus, you must first understand the sinus cavities. These are four spaces under the eyes that are filled with air. Their role is to produce mucus which helps moisturize the nose. The mucus layer is vital because it protects the nose from dirt, dust, micro-organisms and other particles in the air. It is also the mucus in the nose that warms and moistens the air you take and keeps dust and other particles from getting to the lungs.

The problem, however, is that sinus cavities can get infected or irritated easily. This is because the moist and warm environment in the sinuses creates the perfect ground for bacteria and viruses. When the sinuses are infected, it is hard to get rid of the infection. If not treated in time, you may start feeling the sinus pressure in teeth.

What Does Sinus Toothache Feel Like?

A sinus toothache is caused by high pressure from inflamed sinuses (sinusitis). Toothaches caused by sinuses are distinct from normal toothaches. The main difference is that unbearable sinus tooth pain is felt in multiple teeth, which happens because the sinus puts pressure on several teeth simultaneously. The pain is, thus, felt in multiple teeth that are clustered together. In most cases, most pain is felt in the back teeth.

How long does sinus tooth pain last? It varies from one person to the next. This is mainly because the symptoms vary. The most common symptoms associated with toothache from sinus include the following:

  • Nasal drip
  • Sore throat
  • Tenderness or pressure around the forehead or eyes
  • Ear pain
  • Discoloured, thick mucus
  • Inability to taste and smell

Now that you understand what causes sinus toothache and the associated symptoms, it is time to look at how to relieve sinus toothache pain.

How to Help Tooth Pain from Sinus

Prior to considering or using any remedy designed to relieve pressure points for sinus pain in teeth, you must get a professional consultation. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the condition and help you know if the pain is a result of sinus pressure. Your dentist can diagnose the condition as well as prescribe the proper medication to help relieve the pain. It is also a good idea to get a second opinion on what relieves sinus pressure pain. Keep in mind that not all home remedies are backed by science. Some are simply myths.

Whenever you have sinus infections, the best course of action is to target the mucus buildup. Doing so will offer relief. How can I sleep with a sinus toothache? Here are some of the most important things you should do.

1.  Take lots of fluids

The first recommendation your dentist will give you when dealing with toothache from sinus is to take lots of water. Water helps thin the mucus. Electrolyte-infused water will also be great. Coconut water is great because it contains such electrolytes as potassium, magnesium and sodium. Magnesium will boost your immune system, which will, in turn, help fight viral and bacterial infections in the sinuses.

2.  Use steam

Another important thing you should do is to take a steamy shower or simply steam your face using a peppermint steam solution. Steam and peppermint help cut congestion and alleviate pain resulting from inflamed sinuses.

3.  Take spicy foods

You must not be afraid of stocking up on spicy foods. Chilli peppers and horseradish are great. The ingredients contained in these foods offer mucus-thinning properties. They can offer instant relief from sinus pressure in teeth.

4.  Expectorant

Draining mucus is the key to getting relief from a sinus toothache. There are many over-the-counter decongestants as well as expectorants that you can use to get relief from the unbearable sinus tooth pain. When the mucus is drained, pressure is reduced on the blood vessels, and you also get better airflow through the nose. Your dentist can recommend the best nasal expectorant.

5.  Position the heat for maximum drainage

If you are wondering how you can sleep with a sinus toothache, the answer is to sleep with your head in a propped, tilted position. When you lie horizontally, you may experience blockage as well as continued pressure. Sleeping with the upper body propped will help relieve the pain.

6.  Eat foods that relieve inflammation

Bearing in mind that toothache is caused by sinus pressure which results from inflammation, it makes sense to eat foods that are known to reduce inflammation. They include the following:

  • Fatty fish
  • Strawberries
  • Olive oil
  • Nuts
  • Green, leafy vegetables
  • Blueberries
  • Tomatoes

7.  Add foods that are rich in vitamin C and calcium to your diet.

These foods include:

  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Okra
  • Eggs
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cheese

8.  Take more Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids help improve the immune system. Foods rich in these essential fatty acids include:

  • Milk
  • Nuts
  • Plant oils
  • Seeds
  • Soy beverages
  • Emu oil

Whether you suspect the pain is caused by sinus pressure or you are sure inflamed sinuses are the culprit, you must first see a doctor. The doctor will be able to diagnose the condition and offer advice for over-the-counter or prescription medications. The last thing you want is to use home remedies that treat the wrong condition.

At Molson Park Dental, we are committed to offering the best diagnoses and the right treatment for virtually all dental problems, including sinus pressure in teeth. Get in touch with us today for the best quality and excellence in both diagnosis and treatment. We guarantee nothing but a professional and individualized approach to dental treatment.